The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1887-08-18
BILL NYE AS A DUELIST.
lie Challenges the Editor or an Esteemed Contem-
pOrary In Polished Manner.

He Challenges the Editor or an Esteemed Contem-
p0rary In a Polished Manner.
New York World: The following copy Of
letter has been handed to the World with view
to general publicity:
"Mr. George w. Tidd, editor Cranberry Pal
lddium--Dear Sir: Ny attention has been called
to printed statement made over your own
signature some time ago, in which you spoke in
n light and hippant manner of my hair. The
remark was carefully w0rded, but calculated to
cast oboquy and reproaeh upon me in the eyes
of the public. j have spoken to several friends
in relation 10 it, and they are of one opinion in
the matter. They unite in saying that the
term Mexican hairless humOrist' demands q
challenge, TO say nothing of the statement that
while on board a train which was robbed in
Nebraska, i succeeded in cOncealing my jew
elry in my hair until the danger had passed.
For this. sir. beg to state that my address
is at No. 23ll Rue de Bowery, opposite the
Place du Railway Mysterie, and to ask that you
will send me your own address. forward this
by the hands OF slow messenger boy, who will
bring me your answer as soon as he gets thor
oughly rested. need not add that he is my
friend and will act as my second, should you
refuse TO retract the statements referred to.
You may also settle with him for this message
and your own.
81 will settle with you.
IL hope sir, that you will excuse anything
that may seem coarse or brutal in this challenge,
for l desire only TO take your life without
giving you any offense. and i want to be polite
like other duelists. May ask, therefore, that
at your earliest convenience you will name a
quiet place, as free from malaria as possible,
where we may Kill each other undisturbed2
May trouble you also. sir, to select two as
dangerous weapons as possible, and also to
bring with you the surgeon who generally sews
you up ut such times.
The De Nyes have always been hot -blO0ded
race ever since they left France and they can
none OF them brook an insult or bear to be
tramped on.
"When first read your stinging insult in the
paper became deliriOus with passion, and al
though am not related to the Knickerbockers
my breath came in short pants.
"The De Nycs are pleasant people to meet,
but the man who infuriates one of them is
liable TO neander up the flume in an oblique
manner. Pardon anything, sir. in this commu-
nication which may sound harsh or clash with
the smooth and scholarly style of assassina-
tion peculiar TO the code. i desire TO meet you
in mortal comba-, but | want to do it in pol
lished way. and | desire to word this note so
that it will read well in print, like other
challenges.
II have consulted several friends about the
prospect of our meeting in duel at no distant
day, and all of them seem to be highly grati-
fed. IL affords me great pleasure to note that
go into this thing with the hearty indorse-
ment and GOdspeed Of all, without distinction.
If you would prefer to wait few weeks, till
the weather is cooler, SO that you can lie in
state longer, will try to muzzle my wrath,
but would advise you not TO cross my trail in
the meantime.
My second will no doubt inform you that
am an expert and deadly swOrdsman, and will
try to convince you that it will be best not to
name the sword. DO not be too proud to heed
his advice. 1t may save your live-ant mine
also.
q hope you will not treat this challenge
lightly sir, and try still further to heap ridi-
cule upon an old and mildewed name by sug-
gestng soft gloves or watermelons as weapons
Let US meet as gentlemen, sir-fre and fall
down, stagger TO our feet lean heavily against
a tree, mutter few words in a hOarse voice,
gasp two times in rapid succession, put on our
coats, and 60 home.
81 feel almost certain, sir, that you will treat
this note in a sighting and iaunty manner,
but beg that you will not do so. For the
sake of the Tidds who were always plain but
rather pleasant set of people, and for the sake
of the DE Nyes, whose only fault has been their
fondness for fresh, hot blood, furnished by
other parties; for the sake Of all our ancestors,
sir, let me beg of you 70 assist in making this
duel success.
IF i have been brutal in the wording of
tnls cnailenEe, NlOldleu tue cOut, OF HIS
spelled any words will you please have it cor
rected before you send it TO the printer? ask
this favor of you in all sincerity and in as cour
T---.-s~y .sSissS snoS yOu
will grant ii promptly and that you will lose
no opportunity to do all the good you can dur
ing the next few days.
Z" i have arranged all my earthly affairs with
the exception of paying my pOll-tax. / have
turned off the gas-meter and am prepared for
any accident, though the police have promised
10 come in and arrest US at any time we may
agree upon.
In closing. sir, allow me to express the hope
that you will surely be at the duel and that
you will bring your dinner.
My second will offer you the choice of
weapons, with an opportunity for retraction. If
you enter into life and its enjoyments with
real zest would advise you to avail yourself
of the opportunity TO retract, for although,
sir, would be great deal happier with your
hearts blood, the retraction would do me Just
as well, and you need not humiliate yourself in
writing il. / DO not ask you. sir. to grovel
You can write retractiOn which will not COM
promise you at all, and yet one that will give
me much pleasure.
I'm the meantime, sir, shall remain at the
above address, awaiting your decision, and
whatever it may be, sir, beg to remain your
most obedient antagonist and well-wisher,
WILLIAM DE NYE,
Formerly Duke of Sweetwater County and Ref
cree during the Modoc War"